AG2R La Mondiale's Romain Bardet is considering to ride the Giro d'Italia along with the Tour de France in the 2019 season.

Despite the route of the 2019 Tour de France seems to suit the profile of the Frenchman, and even includes his home region of the Auvergne, he is leaning towards having his debut at the Italian grand tour.

"Last year there were no doubts, but this year we talk about it because I'm getting into my best years and it is important to make the right choices," said Bardet to French newspaper L'Equipe. "But I also have to consider the Tour because or I go as a leader, being able to be at 100%, or I will stay at home."

Bardet is not scared about the 58.5 kilometres of Individual Time Trial that are included in the 2019 edition of the Giro d'Italia, a discipline that gives him some difficulties. "They are quite difficult, but for me, it's a lesser evil.

"We also know that the Giro is ridden differently from the Tour de France."

The only race that is already confirmed for the 2019 season of Bardet is Paris-Nice, which means that he will not be at the starting line of Strade Bianche, a race in which he surprised in 2018 by finishing in the second position.